NSU Sharks News

Sharks fall in game one, take game two off a Donachie homer

Lakeland, Fla. (Mar. 3, 2009)  Nova Southeastern University's softball team lost game one to Florida Southern by a score of 14-4 in six innings, but rebounded in the nightcap with a 3-2 victory. NSU moves to 21-7 on the season and 4-2 in the Sunshine State Conference, while Florida Southern is now 13-2 overall and 2-1 in the SSC>

In game one, NSU jumped out a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Jessica Hernandez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) hit a two-run double to left field that drove in Lauren Lopez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) and April Donachie (Sr., Orlando, Fla.). Florida Southern made it a one-run game in the bottom of the second with Elli Howell scoring on an Ashely Hunt RBI single.

The Sharks regained a two-run lead in the third. Dana Bergner (Jr., Palm Beach Harbor, Fla.) sent an RBI single to right field that drove in Lopez and made it a 3-1 game.

Florida Southern evened the game in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and no outs, Peggy Alex scored on a Natalie Lang hit to right center. Then Lindsey Powell scored the game-tying run off a Howell sacrifice fly.

NSU took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth. With one out, Noemi Luciani (Jr., Miami, Fla.) reached home on a Donachie infield groundout.

However, Florida Southern answered with big innings in the bottom of the fourth and the sixth. The Moccasins put up five runs off three hits in the fourth as NSU committed two errors during the inning. Then in the sixth, Hunt had a two-run double that made it 11-4, while Lovestrand ended the game with a three-run home run to left center.

Christine Clark received the win for Florida Southern after pitching the final four innings and allowing one run off three hits.

Dani Caron (Jr., Wellington, Fla.) had the loss, giving up five runs off six hits in 3.1 innings of work.

Lopez was 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs scored.

In game two, Florida Southern got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off a Sara Lovestrand lead-off home run to right field. However, NSU scored one run in both the third and fourth innings to take a 2-1 advantage. With one out and the bases loaded in the third inning, Lauren Lopez hit a sacrifice fly that drove in Noemi Luciani. Then in the fourth, Brittney Lamb scored as Luciani hit into a fielder's choice.

The Moccasins made it a 2-2 game in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded, Lovestrand was hit by a pitch that allowed Elli Howell to cross home plate.

April Donachie gave the Sharks a critical one-run lead in the top of the seventh. Donachie smashed a solo shot to center field for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Brittany Thompson (Fr., Coral Springs, Fla.) picked up her first collegiate win, throwing all seven innings. Thompson allowed two runs off three hits and recorded two strikeouts.

Brittany Minton had the loss for the Moccasins after throwing the complete game. She allowed three runs  two earned  off eight hits and also struck out two batters.

Donachie, Lamb and Luciani each had two hits for the Sharks.

NSU continues on its 10-game road swing on Thursday when the Sharks travel to St. Augustine, Fla., for a doubleheader at Flagler. First pitch of game one is set for 12 noon.

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